Alpena Community College: Discovering Value Through Diverse Programs
Alpena Community College (ACC), established in 1952, stands as a public community college in Alpena, Michigan, committed to providing accessible and valuable educational opportunities. With a motto to discover the value of an ACC education, the college offers a range of programs designed to prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions, immediate employment, or personal enrichment. ACC welcomes individuals seeking new or updated job skills, as well as visiting students from other colleges.
Academic Programs and Degrees
ACC grants various degrees, including Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Applied Science (AAS), Associate in General Studies (AGS), Associate in Science (AS), and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electrical Systems Technology. Non-degree programs lead to a Certificate of Achievement (C).
- Associate in Arts (AA): The AA degree is designed for transfer to a four-year institution and forms the basis for many career options and majors.
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS): Program curriculums leading to AAS degrees are intense programs of study designed to prepare students for employment after graduation.
- Associate in General Studies (AGS): The AGS degree is awarded to students primarily interested in general education.
- Associate in Science (AS): The AS degree is designed for transfer to a four-year institution and forms the basis for many career options and majors.
- Bachelor of Science (BS): ACC currently offers one Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Systems Technology.
- Certificate of Achievement (C): Certificate of Achievement programs are one- or two-year courses of study which provide specialized occupational training.
Transfer Programs and Articulation Agreements
In addition to traditional arts and science transfer programs, Alpena Community College has special agreements with several institutions that expand opportunities for students interested in specialized programs not available in their entirety at Alpena Community College. For these cooperative programs, students complete specified courses at Alpena Community College and then transfer seamlessly to finish the requirements at another college.
ACC is actively working on articulation agreements for various programs to facilitate educational mobility for its students. These agreements ensure that credits earned at ACC are transferable and applicable towards a bachelor's degree at partner institutions.
Specific Transfer Programs:
- Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) in Water Resource Management: A 1 + 1 transfer program that allows students to complete the first year of the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Water Resource Management at Alpena Community College before transferring to Bay de Noc for the second year of the program. During the second year, a four-week co-op internship is required, and students may be able to complete this work experience in the Alpena area.
- Delta College Basic Police Training Academy: Alpena Community College students who are eligible may enroll in the Delta Basic Police Training Academy and transfer credits from Delta to Alpena Community College to be applied to Alpena Community College’s Associate in Applied Science Law Enforcement degree program. Once enrolled in a basic training academy, all trainees must successfully complete the MCOLES Physical Fitness Program in order to graduate. All applicants must pass the MCOLES Pre-employment Test.
- Bachelor of Science in Construction Management - Concrete Technology: Students graduating from Alpena Community College with a Pre-Construction Management (AS) degree can articulate their courses into the FUS Construction Management - Concrete Technology (BS) degree. Alpena Community College also has an Institutional Partnership Agreement with Ferris State University. Alpena Community College and Lake Superior State University have a longstanding partnership to meet the degree completion needs of Alpena Community College students through transfer programs.
- Bachelor of Social Work: Alpena Community College and Madonna University have developed this articulation agreement to facilitate the educational mobility and transfer of students from Alpena Community College to Madonna University.
- Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) in Radiography: Alpena Community College and Mid Michigan Community College offer a cooperative program that includes program prerequisite course work required for this program to be completed at Alpena Community College. Successful graduates will be eligible to apply for the certification examination offered by the American Registry of Radiographic Technologists.
- Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) in Physical Therapy Assistant: Alpena Community College and Mid Michigan Community College offer a cooperative program that includes program prerequisite course work required for the Physical Therapy Assistant program to be completed at Alpena Community College.
- Bachelor of Social Work: Alpena Community College offers an articulation agreement with Western Michigan University to provide a 2+2 agreement in Social Work. Current Alpena Community College Students may enroll as a UM-Flint Guest Student while completing coursework at Alpena Community College.
Campus Environment and Student Life
Alpena Community College is situated in a rural setting, providing a quiet and focused learning environment. The campus fosters a close-knit community where students can thrive academically and personally.
Read also: About Grossmont Community College
Key Features of ACC:
- Small Class Sizes: The student-faculty ratio is 13-to-1, allowing for personalized attention and interaction with instructors.
- Open Admissions Policy: ACC has an open admissions policy, making higher education accessible to a wide range of students.
- Credit for Life Experiences: The college offers credit for life experiences, recognizing the value of prior learning and work experience.
- Diverse Programs: Students can earn degrees and certificates in 78 different fields, catering to various interests and career goals. Popular programs include Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and Lineworker.
- Academic Support Services: ACC provides academic/career counseling services and placement services for completers to support students' success.
- Flexible Learning Options: Students are offered classes on campus and a multitude of online classes. The fall semester generally starts in the middle of August and the spring semester starts at the beginning of January. Summer classes are only six weeks long and can be started in the middle of May or at the end of June.
Financial Aid and Affordability
Alpena Community College is committed to making education affordable for its students. In 2022-2023, 94 percent of undergraduates received grant or scholarship aid, with the average scholarship or grant award being $3,664.
Tuition and Fees (2020-2021):
- In-district tuition and fees: $4,830
- Out-of-district tuition and fees: $7,320
Specific Program Highlights
ACC offers a variety of programs tailored to meet the needs of its students and the demands of the job market. Here are a few examples:
- Fine Arts Program: ACC has a Fine Arts Program. Right now nearly 60 percent of people who are in the art field are self-employed. Art directors make up the largest category of all artists, coming up with new designs and ways to present these designs. They look over this material to develop a design for publications. Usually art directors are in charge of the visual. The art directors work a normal work week, usually in offices at a firm or company.
- Psychology Program: This degree is intended for students who want to work in the psychology field, are pursuing an Associate in Science (AS) degree, or want to transfer to obtain a bachelor's or advanced degree in psychology. It stresses mathematics and biological factors in psychological phenomena. It can provide a foundation for clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, experimental psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, physiological psychology, and neuropsychology. This degree is suitable for students going into pre-dental or pre-medical studies. This program can be altered depending on the need of any particular student, so a consultation with an academic advisor is required.
- Business Management: This degree is for students who want to work in the business industry or manage their own businesses.
- Concrete Technology Program: This course features a two year program where students learn fundamental understanding of the technology of concrete.
- Welding Program: Students learn about traditional forms of welding alongside plasma cutting during this course. At ACC students are taught proper use of standard safety equipment in a state of the art welding laboratory.
Read also: Transfer pathways after community college
Read also: Exploring Oakland Community College
tags: #alpena #community #college #programs
